News

West Found Guilty of Murder

February 11, 2016

Feb. 11, 2016

For Immediate Release

Contact:Paul Jarvey (508) 368-7241

WORCESTER — A Worcester Superior Court jury today found Steven D. West guilty of first-degree murder in the 2012 asphyxiation death of his then-wife’s twin sister in Spencer, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

Mr. West, 24, raped and murdered Alyssa A. Haden, 20, on Oct. 10, 2012 in the apartment at 14 Pleasant St., Spencer, they shared with his then-wife, Caitlin West, and the Wests’ infant son. Caitlin West was in the hospital at the time getting ready to deliver the couple’s second child.

Mr. West first told investigators that Miss Haden was killed by gang members from his native Indiana, then claimed another man was responsible and gave other inconsistent statements about her death.

An autopsy determined that she died from asphyxia caused by compression of her face, neck and chest. Mr. West weighed more than 400 pounds at the time of the murder.

“This was a difficult case,” Mr. Early said. “The defendant told a series of lies, and I’m glad the jury was able to see through them to deliver the appropriate verdict.”

He praised Assistant District Attorneys Brett F. Dillon and Cheryl R. Riddle for their successful prosecution and the State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and Spencer Police for their thorough investigation.

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